Ethnicity/caste and child anthropometric outcomes in India using the National Family Heath Survey 2015-16 and 2019-21

Socioeconomic inequalities are known to negatively impact anthropometric outcomes among children, particularly in developing countries. This study, therefore, assesses the gap in anthropometric outcomes of children 6-59 months along the ethnicity-based social groups in India using the National Family Heath Survey 2015-16 and 2019-21. The paper utilizes logistic regression models, the exogenous switching treatment effect regression (ESTER) model, and the Blinder-Oaxaca Model to disentangle the role of ethnicity (referred to as caste in India) in influencing child anthropometric outcomes while accounting for socio/economic factors. Approximately 35% of children in the sample were stunted and 20% wasted. Result indicates that despite the progress made in reducing child undernutrition between the two survey periods, there is a higher risk of chronic growth faltering (stunting) and underweight in socially disadvantageous groups, and these ethnicity-based disparities exist independent of education and household economic status. To improve children's nutritional status, India needs to develop new nutrition strategies prioritizing double-duty action due to the persistence of undernutrition and rising overweight/obesity among children. The study suggests a need for a distinguished understanding of the underlying causes of chronic and acute forms of malnourishment, and separate interventions are required to reduce the disparities among disadvantaged groups, particularly in tribal communities.